Preserving bananas ?

[morninglorie]

If I'm tired of making breads, does it work to freeze bananas? If so, how? Any other ideas appreciated !

Thanks :)

[muppetcow]

I've frozen bananas before--peeled 'em and stuck 'em in a ziploc bag. They were really mushy when I eventually thawed them, which was fine because I was making banana muffins anyway.

[bluelacedredhead]

Banana Chips in the dehydrator. I'm told they are divine. I haven't tried it yet. I thought I would save that for winter fun with fruit.

[camproses7]

Yes! I freeze them whole, sliced, or mashed depending on ripeness and what I want to do with them later. Frozen banana slices are a delicius snack, especially when dipped in melted chocolate :). If I don't leave them whole in the skin, I use glass jars to store.

[bluelacedredhead]

Frozen banana slices are a delicius snack, especially when dipped in melted chocolate :).

Banana Popsicles! Great idea Camproses. :) TY

[Scott]

Growing up, my mom always kept a freezer bag full of bananas in the freezer for smoothies. That way you don't need any ice. It's perfect for summer and growing boys.

[mjc]

If your recipe calls for 4 bananas, freeze them that way. Makes it a lot easier to just dump them in a bowl and go from there.

[pepperhead212]

My Mom always gives me bananas that are too ripe for her - as soon as they get spots. And I let them get even riper, then put them in the freezer, as is. The skin protects them fairly well, and when I want them for a smoothie, I take them out, let thaw a bit, and the skin slips off. Then they go in with whatever other fruits I have on hand, along with some leftover tofu and coconut milk, if any, for a delicious smoothie.

[CityMouse]

Make Banana Butter!

[momol]

I tried making banana chips some years ago, it takes a lot of man hour ! You can only use green banana for this purpose as the flesh has to be firm! I can dig out the recipe if you liked ,but got to look for it first.

[morninglorie]

:p Thanks everyone, for good ideas ! City mouse, how do you make your banana butter? :D

[CityMouse]

BANANA BUTTER

3 cups prepared fruit (about 10 bananas)
2 Tablespoons lemon juice (1 lemon)
1/3 cup finely chopped maraschino cherries (optional)
6 1/2 cups sugar (2 lb. 14 oz.)
1 6 oz. bottle Certo Fruit Pectin

FIRST, PREPARE THE FRUIT. Mash thoroughly about 10 ripe bananas. measure 3 cups into a very large saucepan. Squeeze the juice from 1 medium lemon; measure 2 tablespoons into the pan. Add maraschino cherries.

THEN MAKE THE BUTTER. Add sugar to fruit and mix well. Place over high heat, bring to a full rolling boil, and boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; at once stir in Certo Fruit Pectin. Ladle quickly into glasses. Cover at once with 1/8 inch hot paraffin. Makes about 9 medium glasses.

WARNING: This is not diet food! :D

[rderge]

I make banana chips from "too ripe" bananas I buy cheap. Here's how:

1. Slice them.
2. Soak them for a few minutes in a Fruit Fresh solution (2 tsp. per quart) to minimize color change.
3. Dry in a dehydrator. Chips stick tenaciously to trays, so I spray each tray with Pam first.
4. Freeze chips.

[morninglorie]

Thanks, but think I'll go with freezing instaed of drying or other methods. :D